R.M.S. Titanic Captain Edward John Smith R.N.R.
Captain and Commodore of the White Star Line, Edward J. Smith was one of the finest sea captains of his time and the highest paid. Nicknamed the ‘millionaires captain’ due to the fact that he was so popular with the cream of society and that no one would book voyage on a White Star Liner if Captain Smith wasn’t going to be in command. His reputation for his skill and safety put many passengers travelling at ease. Captain Smith was chosen to command the maiden voyage of the Olympic and then to take command of the most famous ship in history, the Titanic.
During his command of the Olympic, he was presented by the White Star Line a beautiful silver cup in recognition of his 25 years service with the White Star Line. The inscription on the cup reads -
“Capt. Edward John Smith R.N.R. From your friends & colleagues at the White Star Line. In appreciation of 25 years faithful service. August 1911.”
Captain Smith’s finest hour would come on April, 10 th, 1912, when he was to take command of history’s most famous ship, the R.M.S. Titanic. Due to retire after the Titanic’s maiden voyage, after his many years of success at sea, no one could have predicted what was to occur four days into the Titanic’s first voyage. So much respect did Captain Smith have from his fellow passengers, that a dinner was held in his honour on Sunday April 14 th, 1912, in the Titanic luxurious a la carte restaurant. After dinner, Captain Smith retired to Titanic’s Bridge, where he spoke to 2 nd Officer Charles Lightoller with regards the weather conditions and then retired to his cabin for the night. Titanic struck an iceberg at 11:40 pm, Captain Smith returned to the Bridge, and after an inspection of Titanic’s lower decks he gave the orders to abandon ship. Captain Smith went down with his ship, he was last seen going to the Bridge, many people believe he entered the Titanic’s wheel house as was represented in the recent blockbuster movie Titanic.
R.M.S. Titanic Senior Sixth Engineer William Young Moyes.
William Young Moyes, 23, was born in Stirling, Scotland, youngest son of Alexander Moyes He was at the pinnacle of his career with the lucrative White Star Line shipping company, serving as an engineer on the ‘Oceanic.’ William was hand picked to join the Titanic by Captain Smith and appointed Senior Sixth Engineer. William joined the Titanic at Belfast for her sea trials on April 2 nd 1912. He was one of the few engineers onboard the Titanic for her sea trials, who were known as the skeleton crew, a nickname they were given by the ships officers.
During the sea trials, William had with him his steiff bear and family photographs, reminders of his family back home. He was given the steiff bear as aChristmas gift as a young boy and had adopted the bear as his good luck charm.
Sadly William along with his fellow engineers lost his life during the Titanic’s sinking, they refused to leave to their posts ensuring that power could be maintained to help aid the evacuation of Titanic by keeping the lights, heating and power for as long as possible for the urgent marconi radio distress messages to be sent. In 2002, on the 90th anniversary of the sinking, a memorial was unveiled dedicated to the memory and heroic actions of William Young Moyes at his former home of 11 Douglas Terrace, Stirling, Scotland. The family members of William Young Moyes including his Niece Mrs. Christine Bole attended the unveilling ceremony.
R.M.S. Titanic 1 st Class a la carte restaurant waiter Vincenzo Gilardino.
Vincenzo Gilardino was born at Canelli, Italy on January 27 th 1881. He was the son of Umberto Gilardino and Giovanna Muratore. Vincenzo had six brothers and three sisters.
Vincenzo’s niece, Caterina, recalled that Vincenzo probably came to England in the late 1890s because in 1901 Vincenzo’s brother (Caterina’s father) Paulo Gustavo Gilardino was sent to England by their father to try and persuade Vincenzo to return to Italy. However, Gustavo was unsuccessful and decided that he himself would stay in England. He settled in Manchester where he worked as a confectioner.
Vincenzo, working for Luigi Gatti, was no stranger to sea voyages. He signed on for each sailing, but this was usually on the same line and ship, apart from one journey to Australia, the ship travelled between Southampton and Buenos Aires, Argentina.
His position onboard was a Smokeroom steward. Coincidentally, another of Vincenzo's brothers, Enrico, lived in Argentina. Between sailings, Vincent (as he was known in England) had alternately a long leave and a short one. It was his practice to go to Italy for the long leave and to go to his brother in Manchester (later Knutsford) for the short leave. Around 1912 Vincenzo became interested in one of the sisters of Gustavo's wife Agnese, after his death a photograph of Florence was found on his dressing table. It was to his brother Gustavo that Vincenzo wrote his last letter April 6th 1912 which read:
15, Bellevue Road, 6 - 4 – 1912, “Dear Gustavo, I hope you had received my postcard from Belfast. I am sorry I couldn't have written to you before. I was always waiting for a letter from you to give you good news. On the 10th I'll leave on the Titanic, the biggest ship in the world, I'll have my moustache cut, but, never mind! I'm tired of doing nothing. As soon as I return, I'll be able to tell you if the place is good or not but I am hopeful. As soon as you receive this are, write to me soon, so that I'll get news from you before leaving. Many greetings and kisses to you, Agnese and Rina. Your brother. Vincenzo.”
When Vincenzo Gilardino signed-on to the Titanic he gave his address as 15 Bellevue Road, Southampton and his previous ship as the Asturias. He came aboard the Titanic on 10 April 1912. He died in the sinking. His body, if recovered, was never identified. Gustavo went to Southampton after the sinking to gather Vincenzo's belongings, including the 18 karat gold pocket watch inscribed with his initials which can be seen in the exhibtion. as he was walking down a street in Southampton a man stopped him in the street saying
"I am sure you are Vincent Gilardino's brother because you are so like him. A while ago Vincent lent me £60 because my wife was very ill."
The next day, this man came to Gustavo and gave him the £60. There had been no written account of the loan.
